A WOMAN of 47 was pushed in the back and had her handbag grabbed from her shoulder in the latest street robbery in Rossendale.

The woman was walking on Longhome Road, Rawtenstall, at 5.25pm on Monday heading towards Asda supermarket when she was approached from behind by a man.

DC Jarrod Sharp said: "He pushed her in the back and pulled her handbag from her shoulder and ran off to a waiting car.

"It was a busy time of night and we are appealing for anyone in the area at the time who may have seen something to contact us.

"There have been a spate of street robberies but we are not linking this incident because the others did not involve a vehicle."

The offender is described white, small, of stocky build, in his 20s, unshaven, wearing a navy blue cap and dark anorak with the collar pulled up.

He went into a car described as small and dark.

Seven other lone women have been targeted in incidents around the Rawtenstall, Waterfoot and Stacksteads area this month.